After The Kill

[musketman]

I've been wondering about something all night at work, so here we go...

Let's use a deer for this question, it applies to all muzzleloaders...

If you shoot and kill a deer, do you reload before you go and tag it?

I do, only because the deer, if not killed outright, could get up and charge you or even run away...

 

I reload as soon as possible after the shot.

Vic

 

I always reload and get ready for a follow up shot because the bad guys from the collapse of society and the lack of all oraganized infrastruture will come along and take it from me. :crackup: :crackup: :what: :crackup: :crackup: :huh: :crackup: :sorry: :youcrazy: :crackup: :crackup:

 

[roundball]

I also reload first

 

[Keith]

Wrong thread Maxi. I reload.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I reload before I move from where I fired the shot. If, God forbid, the deer took off, I listen as long as there are sounds to follow and then reload before I go to check for sign at ground zero. Even if the deer dropped immediately. Lord knows, civilization might have collapsed while I was in the woods and roving bands of leather-wearing, Mohawk haired, road warrior gangs may be waiting near my car when I get back to it. :haha:

I learned my lesson while bowhunting. I hit a nice buck high in the lungs and it collapsed where it stood - must have "zinged" the spine. As I stood 10 yards away, the deer still thrashing but me patiently waiting for hemmorage to do it's job with thoughts of that night's liver-n-onions dancing in my mind, the deer regained it's feet and ran into a cedar/hemlock swamp, knee deep in water and muck. Oh, how I wish instead I'd put a second arrow into that deer's chest. :cry:

Maybe I'll try one of those Hollywood ramrod shots to anchor it down if that happens while muzzleloading? :bull:

 

[BrownBear]

Serious bear country here. We all reload immediately, even if the deer is down in plain sight and dead. A bit of looking over the shoulder while dragging it out, too.

 

[Keith]

Do you carry a backup or have someone with a big cartridge gun go along when BP hunting just in case?

 

[BrownBear]

We're mostly "situationally aware," keeping our eyes open for bear sign and places they are likely to be hanging out. When push comes to shove, they are welcome to the deer if they contest ownership- we walk away and find another deer. Lot's more to it than that, but the only folks who have gotten in real trouble are the ones that leave deer or elk for a while (for whatever reason), then come back to find a bear defending it.

As for backup or second shooter with a large hole in his barrel, in general if bear are that numerous in one location we pick another. To be meaningfully powerful in real terms a backup should be a 12 guage or some such, rather than a handgun, which gets problematic while also carrying a smoke pole. Most handguns aren't even as powerful as a 30-30, and NO ONE considers a 30-30 adequate for bear, even if most folks can shoot one better than a handgun.

I was a successful (lots of wins) rapidfire handgun competitor for years, and even with that I don't trust my ability to get in a shot that is immediately incompacitating on a fast bear in rough country. Joe Schmoe Pistolerro with a high powered handgun he shoots only a few hundred times a year (and never rapid fire) had better file off the front sight before he carries it for "bear protection." That's so the sight won't hurt so bad when the bear stuffs the pistol up his hiney.

 

[Keith]

Schmoe Pistolerro with a high powered handgun he shoots only a few hundred times a year (and never rapid fire) had better file off the front sight before he carries it for "bear protection." That's so the sight won't hurt so bad when the bear stuffs the pistol up his hiney.

:crackup: :crackup:
I thought the bears only mauled people!

 

[BrownBear]

Doggone it! I wasn't supposed to let that secret slip out!

 

[Huntinfool]

I reload asap even if the animal is deader than 4 o'clock.

Because ya never know when a coyote, bobcat, or other such critter will give you an opportunity! :thumbsup:


YMH&OS,
Chuck Goodall
The Original Huntin' Fool
&
Kanawha Ranger Scribe

 

[bob1961]

reload after the shot is taking....cause if the opportunity comes up for a second deer after tagging and cleaning the first one should arise...........................bob